Climate change new zealand passes zero carbon law
A great piece of news!
On June 20, 2019, New Zealand passed the Zero Carbon Amendment Bill, which sets a target to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This landmark legislation makes New Zealand one of the first countries in the world to pass a law aimed at achieving net zero emissions.
The bill was passed with bipartisan support, with the government and opposition parties working together to agree on the details. The law sets a target to reduce emissions to 50% below 1990 levels by 2030, and to net zero by 2050. This is a significant step forward in New Zealand's efforts to address climate change.
The law also establishes a Climate Change Commission, which will provide independent advice to the government on how to achieve the emissions reduction targets. The commission will also monitor progress towards the targets and report to Parliament every three years.
New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, hailed the passage of the bill as a "historic moment" for the country. She said, "This is a significant step forward in our efforts to address climate change, and I'm proud that we've been able to work together to achieve this goal."
The law is expected to have a significant impact on various sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy, and transportation. It will also require significant changes to the way New Zealanders live and work, including increased use of renewable energy, reduced energy consumption, and changes to land use and forestry practices.
New Zealand's move to pass a zero carbon law is seen as a significant step forward in the global effort to address climate change. The country's experience and expertise in this area are likely to be of interest to other countries, and its law is expected to serve as a model for others to follow.
Here are some key features of the Zero Carbon Amendment Bill:
- Sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050
- Requires emissions to be reduced to 50% below 1990 levels by 2030
- Establishes a Climate Change Commission to provide independent advice and monitor progress
- Requires the government to report to Parliament every three years on progress towards the targets
- Includes provisions for the use of carbon credits and offsets
- Requires the government to consider the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and ecosystems
Overall, the passage of the Zero Carbon Amendment Bill is a significant step forward for New Zealand and a major achievement in the global effort to address climate change.